Preferences of older inpatients and their family caregivers for life-sustaining treatments in South Korea

This descriptive cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the preferences of older inpatients and their family caregivers for life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) and their influential factors. Inpatients aged 60 and older and their family caregivers in three acute hospitals in Seoul, South Korea, w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geriatric nursing (New York) 2018-07, Vol.39 (4), p.428-435
Main Authors: Hwang, Hyeyoung, Yang, Sook Ja, Jeong, Sarah Yeun-Sim
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Family caregiver
Life-sustaining treatment
Nursing
Older inpatient
Preference
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Summary:This descriptive cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the preferences of older inpatients and their family caregivers for life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) and their influential factors. Inpatients aged 60 and older and their family caregivers in three acute hospitals in Seoul, South Korea, were invited to participate in the study. A total of 180 surveys were returned from 90 pairs of patients and family caregivers with a response rate of 95%. Older inpatients expressed a significantly high desire for “not wanting to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (χ2 = 10.07, p = 0.007) and “mechanical ventilator” (χ2 = 10.35, p = 0.006) compared to their caregivers. Given that experiences of conversations about LSTs was a common factor in both groups and may prevent futile LSTs, it is important for nurses to initiate and support patients and family caregivers, helping them engage in formal and informal conversations about future healthcare preferences.
ISSN:0197-4572
1528-3984
DOI:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2017.12.015